Dr. Caplan was born in Norfolk, Virginia and grew up in Randolph, New Jersey. He attended the University of Richmond, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. While there, he was the recipient of numerous academic honors and held several leadership positions. Dr. Caplan graduated with honors from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery with the distinction of Magna Cum Laude for his high level of scholastic achievement.
Upon conclusion of dental school, Dr. Caplan completed an additional year of training as a dental resident at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. He practiced as a general dentist for one year before continuing on to his orthodontic residency where he earned his Certificate in Orthodontics and his Master of Science degree in Orthodontics. His Masters thesis was published in the prestigious Angle Orthodontic Journal.
Dr. Caplan is dedicated to lifelong learning through continuing education. He attends numerous conferences, seminars, and study clubs, in addition to his many professional affiliations. Dr. Caplan continues to be recognized by his peers for excellence by being voted as a top orthodontist in New Jersey Monthly every year since 2009.
Dr. Caplan understands the importance of community and believes in giving back. He participates with AAOs Donated Orthodontic Services and Smiles Change Lives to provide needed orthodontic care to economically underprivileged and underserved members of our community. Dr. Caplan also sponsors local athletics and is proud to support his patients in a variety of school and charitable activities. If you are participating in a worthy cause, ask us and we may be able to sponsor you as well!
Our clinical staff helps Dr. Caplan take care of your smile, making it beautiful, healthy, and functioning perfectly. We love seeing our patients throughout the orthodontic treatment process because we enjoy getting to know each person individually.
Of course, the most important member of our team is you! You and your family make our practice a wonderful place to work, and we are grateful for all the things our patients teach us on a daily basis. Please come in and join our community, and let us make you smile!
With many years of experience as an assistant in other practices, I joined Dr. Caplan in 2000 and am proud to be a member of the Millburn Orthodontics team. Were all dedicated to helping patients achieve ideal smiles, and we work together to meet our patients smile goals. Ive been married for 33 years and have two wonderful children. I love to quilt and do handwork, and when the weather permits, my husband and I love riding our Harley.
For over 15 years, Ive been one of the friendly faces that greets our patients when they come into the office. From the front desk, Im able to assist them with all their scheduling needs, as well as insurance claim submissions. I love getting to know our patients and their families, and watching as beautiful smiles are created through orthodontic treatment. I graduated from William Paterson University with a double major in psychology and anthropology. When I have free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies and TV, traveling, and spending time with my family, friends, and cats.
Don't worry, you'll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.
When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).
If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let us know.
If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry; this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.
The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.
You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.
Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.
Game, Set, Match we have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it's recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.
In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.